an introduction to the national agrability project

An Introduction to the National AgrAbility Project

National AgrAbility ProjectBreaking New Ground Resource CenterPurdue University

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Session Overview

Overview of National AgrAbility Project (NAP)HistoryStructurePersonnel

GoalsServicesResources

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AgrAbility began in 1991 as part of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (“The Extension Service”)

Breaking New Ground started in 1979 and was a model for AgrAbility

In 1991, there were 8 AgrAbility projects; as of 2010, there were 23 projects covering 25 states + several affiliate projects

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The NAP Structure

All AgrAbility projects – state projects and the national project – are partnerships between the state’s land grant university and at least one rehabilitation-related program.

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Current NAP Partners

Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue University (lead organization)

Goodwill Industries International Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

(evaluation specialists)

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Unfunded Affiliate Programs Northwestern University Rehabilitation

Engineering Research Center APRIL (Association of Programs for Rural

Independent Living) RESNA (Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology

Society of North America) RTC Rural at the University of Montana National FFA Organization 4-HNAP Structure Chart 6

NAP Key Personnel

Bill Field, Project Director Founder of

Breaking New Ground

Overall project oversight

Liaison with USDA

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NAP Key Personnel

Paul Jones, Project Manager Management of

daily activities Resource

development

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NAP Key Personnel

Kylie Hendress, Engagement Coordinator Organization of

outreach activities Spit appointment

with Indiana AgrAbility

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NAP Key Personnel

Steve Swain, Assistive Technology Specialist Toolbox products Liaison with

RESNA

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NAP Key Personnel

Cliff Racz, Information Technology Specialist Development of NAP

web site and assistive technology database

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NAP Key Personnel

Rob Stuthridge, Project Ergonomist Production of

technical articles Consultation on

human factors and technology

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NAP Key Personnel

Eric Olson, Goodwill Industries AgrAbility Coordinator Networking and

promotion of the Goodwill AgrAbility partnership

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NAP Key Personnel

Amber Wolfe, Arthritis Foundation AgrAbility Coordinator Coordinator of

AgrAbility’s arthritis-related activities

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NAP Key Personnel

University of Illinois Evaluation Team Objective analysis

of NAP activities Bob Aherin Chip Petrea

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The Priority Areas for all AgrAbility Projects Education

Workshops, conferences, publications Networking

Partnering with other organizations to fulfill our mission Assistance

Providing direct services to customers Marketing

Spreading the word about AgrAbility

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Special Responsibilities of the NAP

Provide support to the state and regional AgrAbility Projects Training Resources Consultations with NAP specialists

Provide direct services to customers in states without AgrAbility Projects

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What Does the NAP Not Provide?

Funding Equipment (though some Tech Act partners

provide certain AT) Most funding for assistive technology comes

through state vocational rehabilitation systems Other sources of grants and loans are available

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NAP Work Plan Highlights:Education National Training Workshop Web-based resources

www.agrability.org The Toolbox online Webinars

Publications Assessment tool for homemade AT AgrAbility Harvest newsletter

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NAP Work Plan Highlights: Networking New networking opportunities through

NAP partners Goodwill: network of 161 Goodwill affiliates Arthritis Foundation: national network of

chapters Collaboration with unfunded affiliates

FFA APRIL

RESNA RTC: Rural

NURERC 4-H

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NAP Work Plan Highlights: Assistance

Empowering Goodwill affiliates in states that have no AgrAbility Projects

Arthritis workshops and outreach in various states

Toll-free helpline: 800-825-4264 Online assistive technology database

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NAP Work Plan Highlights: Marketing

New upcoming video and brochure Public service announcements on arthritis

and farming Social networking site Web and YouTube expansion

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NAP Resources

BNG Resource List More than 60 resources related to disability in

agriculture Related web sites

www.agrability.org (current NAP) www.agrabilityproject.org (former NAP) www.ruralcare.info (rural caregivers)

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The Toolbox

Web, Print, and CD versions

More than 750 products to help farmers and ranchers with disabilities

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Plowshares

30 technical reports on specific topics, such as farming with a spinal cord injury

Currently being updated

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Conducting Agricultural Worksite Assessments Step-by-step guide

for evaluating farms and ranches

Reproducible assessment form

Electronic database for recording data and printing reports

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To Everything There is a Season: Rural Caregiver Support Written resource Video/DVD www.ruralcare.info

Includes video clips Downloadable

resources Links to many

organizations 27

Newsletters

AgrAbility Harvest Semiannual to

national audience AgrAbility e-Note

Monthly to AgrAbility staff members

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Communities of Interest and Standing Committees Communities of Interest

Arthritis and Agriculture Assistive Technology Ergonomics Mental/Behavioral

Health Peer Support (ad hoc) Vocational Rehabilitation

Standing Committees Evaluation Marketing National Training

Workshop Networking

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